How to Upgrade Your Vintage Mustang’s Audio

Go digital and wireless with new-school audio from RetroSound USA

If there’s one thing that is synonymous with enjoying a drive in a vintage Mustang, it is having some good music along for the ride. No matter what you listen to—country, classic rock, heavy metal, or Top 40—the miles just seem to blow by when they are accompanied by your favorite tunes. A lot has changed in the nearly five decades since the Mustang debuted with an in-dash AM radio (as an option!) with a single 4x10 mono speaker in the center of the dash. Today’s Mustangs feature high-powered systems that deliver a clean reproduction of your music with the ability to bring your own music catalog along for the ride, be it on a MP3 player, your cell phone, or even on a flash memory “thumb drive.” Furthermore, modern hands-free voice communication for your cell phone calls (which many states are making mandatory regarding hands-free usage) means safer driving when you absolutely must take that phone call.

As many of us spend more time in our vintage Mustangs on a daily basis, we find ourselves wanting the new Mustang’s enhanced audio abilities and the safety of hands-free communication. Today, you can have nearly the same functions through aftermarket audio upgrades for your vintage Mustang from RetroSound. Even if you’ve installed a direct-fit aftermarket radio in the past, as we had during the restoration of our ’66 hardtop over 10 years ago, the ability of the new RetroSound Model Two radio to deliver Bluetooth audio, hands-free communication, and USB connectivity for MP3/iPod/iPhone/Android devices with classic looks that blend in with the Mustang’s interior is not to be overlooked. Couple the Model Two radio with quality RetroSound speakers and even a compact powered subwoofer and you’ll never want to stop driving your vintage Mustang!

Doing a Double Take

While there is no fooling a true Mustang fanatic into thinking the RetroSound Model Two is actually a stock AM radio, for the casual onlooker admiring your ride at a cruise night (or just to create a conversation piece), RetroSound now includes this AM radio band “screen protector” static cling decal to place over the radio’s display. Once applied, the illusion of an old-timey AM radio will have most people not even realizing you’ve upgraded your radio to modern controls/abilities. The “in the know” types will certainly be doing a double take. RetroSound includes three different styles of AM band decals in their kit. Current owners of RetroSound units can purchase the decals in one of three styles (three to a kit) or in a variety pack (as shipped with the Model Two). See www.retrosoundusa.com and click on “accessories” for more info.

Aux Extension

If you’re looking to have your AUX IN or USB connection mounted for ease of access, RetroSound’s new remote USB/AUX extension cable is your answer. Expect to see this cable for sale sometime by the end of December 2013 at RetroSound’s website and through their dealers. The cable allows under dash mounting via the included plastic bracket or you can pop the unit out of the bracket and surface mount it onto your dash, glove box wall, or any other custom solution (rear of a custom console for back seat passengers, etc.). The cable easily extends one of each of the Model Two’s auxiliary inputs and makes plugging in your portable music that much easier.